Wire recorder



Jan. 9, 1951 c. B. DALE 2,537,260

.WIRE RECORDER Fi led March 10, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 RUN N EU'IRALREWIND C. B. DALE WIRE RECORDER Jan. 9, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I FiledMarch 10, 1947 Jan. 9, 1951 c. B. DALE 2,537,260

WIRE RECORDER Filed March 10, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 9, 1951 B.-DALE I 2,537,260

WIRE RECORDER Filed March- 10, 1947 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 9, 1951 c.B. DALE 2,537,260

WIRE RECORDER Filed March 10, 1947 5-Sheets-Sheet 5 ,ff g'j0 122 4%Patented Jan. 9, 1951 WIRE RECORDER Colin B. Dale, Oak Park, Ill.,assignor to Webster- Chicago Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corpora- 7tion of Illinois Application March 10, 1947, Serial No. 733,654

A 20 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a sound recording and reproducing machineutilizing a magnetizable medium such as steel wire. Instruments of thistype are referred to customarily as wire recorders.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved,general-purpose wire recorder. Other objects are the provision. ofvarious novel features in a wire recorder to simplify the constructionand maintenance thereof, to substantially reduce the cost, to facilitateits use by persons unfamiliar with such instruments and unskilled intheir operation, and to increase the usefulness of such a device.

A further object is to eliminate various inconvenient and annoyingcharacteristics of prior wire recorders. One of the disadvantages ofsuch instruments has been the necessity of attaching an end of the wireto a "leader consisting of a serrated Celluloid strip or the likewrapped around the wire on the supply spool and fitted tightly betweenthe flanges of-the spool for holding the wire in place. When using thewire in the recorder, such a leader is first unwound from the supplyspool and wound onto the takeup spool, successive layers of wire thenbeing wound around the leader on the takeup spool in the course ofoperation of the machine. Unavoidable projections on the leader havecaused uneven winding of the wire with the production of bumpy spotstherein, and this has resulted in distortion of the sound whenreproduced. Moreover, if the leader should accidently be broken ofl.,the spool of wire is rendered incapable of further use. In other type ofmachines adhesive fasteners have been used to secure the wire end to thetakeup spool, but such expedients have been subject to the disadvantagethat they produce unevenness in the superposed layers of wire.

My present invention avoids the foregoing difiiculties by providing anovel wire handling mechanism adapted to utilize the wire without I aleader or equivalent device, and without resorting to the use ofadhesive fasteners for attaching the wire end to the takeup spool.The'leading end of the wire is merely clamped to the takeup spool by aconvenient latching means which is clamping of the wire on the spool.Thus, the wire becomes firmly bound on the spool and cannot unwind.Moreover, the free end of the wire tends to twist into a pigtaiP' as itis pulled loose from the latch, making it impossible forthe wire end tobecome buried in the wire on the spool.

Successful operation of a wire recorder requires that the wire bemaintained taut as it is wound onto a. spool.- It is also desirable tocheck the momentum of the spool from which the wire is drawn in theevent any slack should develop in the wire while being led off of thespool. Devices heretofore proposed for accomplishing the'foregoing havebeen expensive, impractical or unreliable. I have provided in my wirerecorder an improved, dependable spool braking mechanism of inexpensivemanufacture, which is so arranged that each of the wire handling spoolsis maintained under at least a light braking pressure during the timethat wire is being drawn from it. The spools are selectively brakedunder the control of a novel three-position cam switch which varies thebraking pressure on each spool in accordance with the positioning of theswitch and also the direction from which the switch is moved into agiven position. I

Still further objects of the invention include the provision of animproved chuck or mandrel to support the wire supply spool andfacilitate.

the mounting and removal thereof, an improved mounting and transmissioncoupling for the drive motor, and various other features and advantagesas will be evident from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective'view of a wire recorder constructed inaccordance with and embodying the principles of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of a portion of the recorder illustrating thelayout of the wire handling means;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the instrument removed from its case;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the control lever and certain associatedparts;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section looking down on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view on the line '6-6 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of theapparatus of Fig. 5 in a different operating position thereof;

Figs. 8 and 9 are plan sections similar to Fig.5, illustrating stillother operating positions Of the working parts;

Fig. is a vertical section looking in the direction of the arrows on theline Ill-I9 in Fig, 2;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section looking upwardly on theline Il-II in 3;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section on the line I2-I2 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view looking down on the line I3-I3 in Fig. 3.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, Fig. l, the wirerecorder and reproducer is housed in a carrying case 20 having adetachable lid 22. Inside the lid 22 there is provided a compartmentnormally closed by a hinged partition 24 (shown in open position) forstoring the electric power cord 26, microphone 28 and microphonecable'30 when the recorder is not in use. The lid 22 is also equippedwith a number of spool holders 32 for carrying the wire supply spools34.

The front portion of the recorder is covered by a decorative panel orescutcheon 36. The escutcheon is suitably apertured for access to aninput socket (not shown), in which the plug 38 of the microphone cable39 is adapted to be inserted when the instrument is being used forrecording, and an output socket 49 for establishing connection to aremote loudspeaker or headphones. Various control knobs projectoutwardly of the panel 36, including the record-listen switch knob 42, aknob 44 on the output tap switch, a volume potentiometer knob 46 and anon-oflf-tone control knob 48.

A cover 50, Figs. 1 and 2, extends over the rear portion of theinstrument and is suitably recessed to accommodate a wire supply spool34, the wire takeup spool 52 and the recording and pickup head 54, whichis also part of the level winder. The handle 56 of a control lever 58extends forwardly of the front edge of the cover 56. The control lever58 is part of the run-stop-rewind switch described in detailhereinafter.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 3, the framework of the machineincludes a base plate 68, a sub-base plate 62, and a supporting plate 64having a sloping front portion which underlies the escutcheon 36. Theplates 69 and 62 support the wire handling means and associatedmechanism. The electronic section of the apparatus, including anamplifier and power pack, is mounted on a chassis 66 which depends fromthe supporting plate 64. The various switches, potentiometers, socketsand electrical connections associated therewith are mounted on thesloping front portion of the support plate 64.

The motor 68, Figs. 3 and 11, which drives the wire handling means ispivotally mounted on the sub-base platey62. A pair of supporting feet 19disposed on an oblique axis 12 depends from the frame of the motor 68,these feet having reduced portions which are extended through slots inthe plate 62. Thus, a rocking support is provided for the motor 68,enabling the motor to be tilted slightly relative to the axis I2. A yoke14, Figs. 4, 11 and 13, fastened to the upper side of the motor framehas a cam follower which cooperates with a cam I6 on a. vertical camshaft 18, Figs. 3 and 4, journaled in the plates 66 and 62 and rigidlyconnected to the control lever 58. As the control handle 56 is disposedin the various selective positions thereof to control the operation ofthe recorder, the cam I6 acting through the yoke 14 rocks the motor 68about the axis I2 for a purpose which will be explained presently.

The wire supply spool 34 that is to be used in the machine is mounted ona chuck 88, Figs. 3,

5 and 12. carried by a vertical shaft 82' that is journaled inself-aligning bearings 84 carried by the plates 69 and 62. An adjustingscrew 86 at the base of the shaft 62 enables the height of the chuck tobe regulated. A disc 81 of antifriction material such as Bakelite isinterposed between the screw 86 and the end of the shaft 82 to afford athrust bearing for the shaft.

The chuck 80 has a dependent skirt or drum 88 that is concentric withthe shaft 82. The shaft 96 of the motor 68, Figs. 3 and 5,projectsupwardly through a relatively large opening in the base plate66. and a friction wheel 92 is fastened on the shaft 99 above the plate60. When the control switch is in its rewind" position, the cam I6, Fig.4, is so disposed that the cam follower drops into a relief 94 in thecam 16. The motor 68 is so balanced with respect to its pivots 10 thatit normally tends to assume a position for causing the tread of thefriction wheel 92 to engage the drum 88 of the chuck 80. Under theseconditions the chuck 80 and the supply spool 34 carried thereby arerotated counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 5, by the motor 68 operatingthrough the medium of the friction wheel 92. When the control switch isin either its run position or its stop (neutral) position, however, thecam I6 acting on the cam follower l5 urges the motor 68 in suchdirection as to prevent engagement of the friction wheel 92 with thedrum 8 8.

The hub 93 of the chuck 80, Fig. 12, is relieved as indicated at 94around the upper edge of its periphery, the amount of such relief at anypoint on the hub being such as to conform substantially with an arcstruck from a point diametrically opposite on the hub in the plane ofthe annular surface that contacts the lower face of the spool 34. Aradial slot 96 is formed in the hub 93 to accommodate a small steel ball98 and a coil spring I00 which urges the ball 98 toward the periphery ofthe hub 93 against the inner cylindrical surface of the supply spool 34.A cover plate I92 is attached to the hub 93 by a central screw I04threaded into a tapped opening extending into the shaft 82 axiallythereof. The cover I02 and the outer lip of the slot 96 serve to retainthe ball 98 in the chuck 80 when the supply spool 34 is removed.

The arrangement just described facilitates the insertion and removal ofthe wire supply spools, as 34, since it is not necessary to accuratelyalign the opening through the spool with the hub 93 nor to assemble thespool on the hub in a particular angular relation. The friction catch ordetent comprising the ball 98 and the spring I09 serves to retain thespool 34 securely on the chuck 89.

The wire takeup spool 52, Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 10, is secured on the upperend of a vertical shaft I06 journaled in self-aligning bearings I68 inthe base plates 66 and 62. The lower end of the shaft I06 rests on adisc I09 of anti-friction material which serves as a thrust bearing. Thespool 52 has a depending skirt or drum IIO horizontally aligned with afriction wheel II2 that functions as an idler between the motor shaftand the takeup spool 52. The idler H2 is rotatably mounted on a verticalstub shaft H4 carried by an arm or lever II6 fulcrumed on a rivet II8fastened to the base plate 60. When the control switch of the machine isin running position, the cam follower I5, Figs. 4 and 11, is engagedwith a rise I 26 on the, cam I6, causing the motor 68 to tilt in such adirection as to bring the upper end of the motor shaft 90 against thetread of 5 the idler H2 and urge the idler H2 against the drum H of thetakeup spool 52. Because of the large diameter of the drum H0 relativeto that of the shaft 90, the takeup spool 52 rotates relatively slowlywhen it is being driven by the motor, the wire speed under theseconditions being about one-seventh of the wire speed when the chuck 80is being driven by the friction wheel 92.

The cam follower 15 may, if desired. be made sumciently resilient so asto yield after the motor shaft 90, idler H2 and drum H0 are in mutualengagement. I prefer, however, to provide a yieldable connection betweenthe yoke 14 and the motor frame as shown in Fig. 13. Thus, the yoke 14is pivoted at H5 on the motor 68 and has a pin-and-slot connection tothe motor frame at H1. A spring H9 is extended between the yoke 14 andan anchor lug I2I struck out from a portion of the motor frame.

A circular cover plate I22, Figs. 2 and 10, on the takeup spool '52 hasa peripheral portion which forms the upper flange of the spool. A smallslot or notch I24 is formed in the edge of the cover I22 as shown inFig. 2. Ears I26 are bent upwardly from the edges of the slot I24 oneither side thereof as shown in Figs. 2 and 10. The leading end of thewire W is led from the supply spool 34 partially around the recordinghead 54 and is then passed under one of the ears I26 for insertionbeneath a latching or clamping flnger I28 which bears on the uppersurface of the cover I22.

The finger I28 is formed on the end of an arm I30 which is mounted onthe under side of the cover I 22 radially thereof, the finger I28 beingextended upwardly through an aperture in the cover. Upward pressure isexerted on the arm I30 by a compression spring I32 disposed around aheaded pin I34 that extends through the cover I22 and the arm I30 todepend therebelow. The arm I30 pivots about a fulcrum point I35 so thatthe spring I 32 is effective to urge the finger I28 downwardly againstthe plate I22. A button I36 on the end of the arm I30 projects through acentral opening in the cover I22. The latch finger I28 is raised bydepressing the button I36. With release of pressure on this button, thewire W is then clamped firmly to the cover or face I22 of the takeupspool 52 under pressure of the spring I32 acting upon the flnger I28.

The recording and pickup head 54 is carried on the upper end of a slidebar I38, Figs. 3' and 10, that extends vertically through apertures inthe base plates 60 and 62. A lug I 40 struck out from the slide bar I38has a tapped opening into which a screw I 42 is threaded, the upper endof the screw passing freely through a clearance opening in a member I 44slidably supported on the bar I38. The screw I42 is headed at its upperend, and a coil spring I46 is disposed around the screw I42 between thelug I40 and the member I44. The screw I42 affords a means of adjustingthe relative positions of the member I44 and the bar I38.

A tension spring I48 is extended between the member I44 and the baseplate 62 to urge the lower portion of the member I44 against the end ofa rocker I50 pivoted at I5I on a bracket I52 extending upwardly from thebase plate 62. A stub shaft I54 supported by the bracket I52 carries aworm wheel I56 and a cam I58. The worm wheel I56 cooperates with a wormthread I60 formed on the shaft I06 of the takeup spool 52. The cam I58cooperates with a. cam follower I62 on the rocker I50. Rotation of theshaft I06, therefore, is eflective through the medium of the cam I58 androcker I50 to produce alternate upward and downward motion of the head54 in timed relation with the rotation of the I takeup spool 52.

The head 54 houses the coils for recording sound magnetically on thewire W, Fig. 2, and for picking up the acoustic signal from the wire,depending upon whether the instrument is being operated to record orreproduce the sound. The head 54 also contains an erasing coil fordemagnetizing the wire to clear it of any previous recording when theinstrument is being operated for recording purposes, as is familiar tothose skilled in the art. Inasmuch as these portions of the apparatusare conventional, a detailed description thereof is not included herein.A notch I64 is provided in the head 54 for the reception of the wire W(see Fig. 10). A guide finger I66, Fig. 2. mounted on the cover 50adjacent the supply spool 34, and a small post or pin I68 extending upfrom the cover 50 intermediate the head 54 and the takeup spool 52,assist in guiding the wire between the spools and the recording head 54.

The control lever 58, Figs. 2, 3 and 4, as has been mentionedpreviously, is part of a threeposition control switch that governsoperation of the machine. The handle 56 of the control lever is shown inits neutral or stop position in Fig. 2. The "run position of the handle56 is to the left of neutral, while the rewind position is to the rightas viewed in this figure.

The lower end of the vertical shaft 18 connected to the control lever 58extends below the base plate 62, and a switch cam I10, Figs. 3. 4 and 6,is secured to this end of the shaft 18. The cam I10 is adapted toactuate switches I12 and I14 in accordance with the setting of thecontrol handle 56. Fig. 2. When the control handle 56 is in "runposition, the cam I10 is positioned to close both of the switches I12and I14. Switch I12 controls the circuit for the m0- tor 68, whereas theswitch I14 controls the circuit to the erasing coil in the recordinghead 54. When the control handle 56 is in neutral position, both of theswitches I12 and I14 are open. When the control handle 56 is in rewind"position, the switch I12 is closed and the switch I14 is open. Theswitch I12 includes a detent spring I13 that seats in a notch I15 in thecam I10 when the control switch shaft 18 is in neutral position.

As previously explained, the shifting of the control handle 56 causesthe motor 68 to be tilted about its pivots. To recapitulate, when thecontrol handle 56 is in "run posit-on, during which time the machine maybe utilized either for recording or play-back depending upon the settingof the selector knob 42, Fig. 1, the cam follower 15, Figs. 4 and 11, ison the full portion I 20 of the cam, causing the driving force of themotor to be applied to the takeup spool 52. When the control handle 56is in "rewind position, the cam follower 15 is on the relieved portion14 of the cam 16, and the driving force of the motor 68 is applied tothe chuck carrying the wire supply spool. In the neutral position of thecontrol handle 56 the cam follower 15 is positioned in a dwell I16 onthe cam 16 to uncouple the motor 68 from both the chuck 80 and thetakeup spool 52, this condition being illustrated in Fig. 5.

One of the objectives of the invention is to insure that the wire ismaintained under proper tension while being utilized in the machine andthat overrunning of the spools is avoided so as to prevent fouling orsnarling of the wire. To this end, I have arranged braking means undercontrol of the lever 58 for selectively braking the chuck 80 and thetakeup spool 52, depending upon the setting of the control handle 56 andthe adapted to engage the brake drum 88, Figs.

and 12, on the chuck 80 when the brake arm I18 is released to the actionof a spring I84. A lever I86 having a tongue-and-slot connection withthe brake arm I18 is pivoted on the base plate 60. A similar lever I88pivoted on the plate 60 has a tongue-and-slot connection with the brakearm I80. A spring I90 tends to urge the brake arm I80 toward the brakedrum I I0 of the takeup spool 52 for bringing the brake pad I92 on thearm I80 into engagement with the drum H0.

The downwardly extending portion of the control lever 58 is formed as acylindrical rotor I94 on which are disposed two brake control cams I96and I98, Figs. 4 and 5. These cams are interposed between a collar 200,Fig. 3, that is integral with the lever 58 and rotor I94, and a boss 202on the base plate 60, in which the rotor I90 is journaled. The cam I10,Figs. 3 and 6, on the lower end of the control shaft 18 is constructedof fiber or similar insulating material, and the hub of this cam bearsagainst the underside of the sub-base plate 62 to retain the controllever 58 and shaft 18 against upward movement. The set screws whichfasten the cam I10 to the shaft 18 are loosened when it is desired towithdraw the lever 58 and shaft 18.

The brake control levers I 86 and I88, Fig. 5, are provided respectivelywith cam followers 204 and 206 that cooperate with the control cams I96and I98, these cam followers being urged toward the peripheral portionsof the cams by springs 208 and 2 I0 respectively acting upon the leversI86 and I88. The rotor I94 has a laterally projecting lug or key 2I2that fits in a corresponding slot or keyway in the cam I96 so that thecam I96 always moves with the rotor I94. The cam I98, however, isprovided with a relatively wide slot 2I4 which receives the key 2I2 soas to afford a certain amount of lost motion, the purpose of which willbe apparent in the succeeding description. The brake control cams I96and I98 may assume four different positions relative to the camfollowers 204 and 206 depending upon the setting of the control handle56, Fig. 2. These four positions are illustrated respectively in Figs.5, 7, 8 and 9. In each of these views the axis of the control lever 58is indicated by a broken line designated 58'.

Considering the operation when the control handle is in its runposition, the various parts of the braking and brake control assemblyassume the positions shown in Fig. 8. The cam follower 204 then rests ona step 2I6 of the cam I96, while the cam follower 206 rides on a highportion 2I8 of the cam I96. As a result of this disposition of the camsand cam followers, the lever I88 and brake arm I80 are rocked to anextent sufficient to withdraw the brake shoe I92 from contact with thedrum IIO of the takeup spool 52. The lever I86 and brake arm I18 are sopositioned that the brake shoe I82 is applied the cams.

lightly to the drum 88 of the supply spool chuck 80. The movement of thecontrol handle 56, Fig. 2, to the left for setting the control switch inrun position, is limited by engagement of a lug 220 on the cam I96 witha stop 222 projecting upwardly from the base plate 60. The control lever58 is impositively held in this position by the cam followers 204 and206.

From the foregoing it is apparent that when the machine is being used torecord or reproduce, the supply spool chuck from which the wire is beingdrawn is lightly braked. Hence, if the operation of the motor should beinterrupted while the control switch is still set in running position,the momentum of the chuck 80 and wire supply spool mounted thereon isnullified so that there can be no overrumiing of the supply spool. Thetakeup spool 52 is not braked inasmuch as the motor is coupled to thisspool.

To stop the operation of the wire handling means, the control handle 56is moved into its neutral or stop position. Assuming that the handle 56was previously in running position, it will approach the neutralposition from the left as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5. Because of thelostmotion connection between the rotor I94 and the cam I98, the cam I96is advanced counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 5) relative to the camI98; or in other words, the cam I98 lags the cam I96 by the amount oflost motion which occurs as the lug 2 I2 travels along the slot 2I4.

As the cam I96 is advanced into the position shown in Fig. 5, thefollower 206 rides off the high portion 2I8 of this cam and onto asomewhat lower portion 224 of the cam I98. (The terms high" and low" inthis connection refer to large and small radii, respectively.) The camfollower 204 rides off the step 2I6 and drops into a relief or dwell 226on the cam I98. There is some tendency for the cam I98 to be carriedalong by the cam I96 due to the friction between This tendency ischecked when the cam follower 208 engages a slight rise 228 at the endof the dwell 224, and the cam follower 204 is disposed in proximity to arise 230 on the cam I98. The friction between the cams I96 and I98 canbe made sufficiently small, such as by the use of lubricant, so that thecam I98 cannot be moved to overcome the spring pressures of thefollowers 204 and 206 unlesspositively actuated.

The result of disposing the parts as shown in Fig. 5 is that the brakearm I18, being entirely released to the action of the springs I84 and208, applies the brake shoe I82 heavily upon the chuck 80, while thebrake shoe I92 is applied lightly to the takeup spool 52. It will berecalled that in this operation the wire handling means is to be stoppedafter having previously been running in the course of a recording orreproducing operation. The chuck 80 therefore is stopped abruptly sothat overrunning of the supply spool 34 from which the wire was beindrawn is prevented. At the same time the takeup spool 52, being lightlybraked, has no tendency to reverse its spin when the wire is stopped.

When the control handle 56, Fig. 2, is moved into its rewind position,the parts of the braking mechanism are differentially disposed as shownin Fig. 9. The cam follower 204 then rides onto a high portion 232 ofthe cam I96, causing the brake shoe I82 to be withdrawn entirely fromthe chuck 80 which now is being driven counterclockwise to rewind thewire upon the supply spool. The cam I98, being positively actuated bythe lug 2I2, is moved counterclockwise into the lower 206 rides ad therise 228 and onto a step 294 on the cam I96. This causes the brake shoeI92 to be applied lightly on the takeup spool 52,

a forcing inwardly of a portion of its outer coil between other coils'on the supply spool 84, whereby the wire at a point proximate to itsprojection from the spool is held securely against thereby to maintainthe wire under slight tenunwinding. The remaining length of wire thension as it is drawn off the takeup spool and to is drawn onto the spool34 where it wraps around prevent any overspin of the takeup spool ifslack the final layer. The end of the wire as it slips should develop inthe wire. The movement of away from the latch I28, is curled into apigtail the control lever into the position thereof indiwhich preventsthe'end from accidentally being cated by the line 58' is limited byengagement of buried in the wire on the spool 34, so that it can 9. lug236 on the cam I96 with the stop 222. be readily located and graspedwhen the spool is To terminate or interrupt the rewind operation to beplayed back. the control handle 56, Fig. 2, is moved into the It isobvious that various changes may be made neutral or stop positionthereof, causing the cams in the specific embodiment set forth forpurposes I98 and I98 to assume still other positions as of illustrationwithout departing from the prinillustrated in Fig. '7. Here the cam I98is moved ciples of the invention. The invention is accordwith the camI96 until the cam follower 294, ingly notto be limited to the precisedetails which has moved off the high portion 232 of cam disclosed hereinbut includes all modifications I95 and onto the intermediate dwell 236of cam thereof within the spirit and scope of the I98, engages theslight rise 23!! at the end of this appended claims. dwell, and the camfollower 285, which has moved I claim: oil? the step 234 and onto thelow portion 226 of 1. In a wire recorder including a Wire supply the camI98, is disposed in proximity to the rise spool and a wire takeup rpool.the combination 228 on this cam. Consequently, the brake shoecomprising, a first brake for the supply spool, a I92, Fig. 5, on thetakeup spool 52 is applied 25 first brake-actuating device for saidfirst brake, heavily, while the brake shoe I82 on the supply a secondbrake for the takeup spool, a second chuck 80 is applied lightly.. Thesebrake settings brake-actuating device for said recond brake, a are thereverse of those which resulted when the rotatable shaft having acontrol handle settable control handle was moved from "run to stop to aplurality of optional positions, and compositions. poundmotion-transmitting members between The operation of the machine inresponse to said handle and said brake-actuating devices the varioussettings of the switch control lever 58 mounted on and carried by saidshaft in the rois summarized in the following table: tary movementsthereof incident to the position- Positions of Brake Shoe Brake Shoetttfsi'dit ii w sass. ere; age it gt W shownin i igs. 54 (Figs. s-o) gr6) Run Spool 52....-. Flg.8 Light Ofl' Closed- Stop (aiterrun) Oii Fig.5. Heavy- Light...... 096"- Rewind Fig. 9 Oil do D0- Stop (afterrewind)--. Ofl Fig. 7.. Light.-.- Heavy D0- 1 Erasing coil not energizedunless selector knob 42 is set for recording.

When a new wire supply spool is placed in the machine, the leading endof the wire W is drawn off the supply spool 34, Fig. 2, and carried pastthe recording and reproducing head 54 to .be attached by latch I28 tothe takeup spool 52. It is preferable to manipulate the takeup spool 52by hand for bringing the head 54 into its extreme upper position beforethe wire W is attached to the spool 52, inasmuch as the wire commencesto wind from the top down on the spool 52. The selector knob 42, Fig. 1,is adjusted as desired for recording or listening. The wire feed isinitiated by throwing the control handle 56 into running position at theleft of neutral, Fig. 2. The wire is wound evenly in uniform layers onthe takeup spool 52 as the operation progresses. The wire feed may bestarted, stopped, and reversed as often as desired by manipulation ofthe control handle 56, the various working parts being automaticallyadjusted to each new condition. Re-

versal of the wire feed is accomplished by moving the control handle torewind position.

To rewind the wire W the control handle 55 is thrown to rewind positionto the right of neutral, Fig. 2, and maintained there until all of thewire is drawn back onto the supply spool 34. The rewinding operationtakes place very rapidly, and as the last of the wire is withdrawn fromthe takeup spool 52, the wire end is pulled free of the latch I28. Thetug of the latch I28 on the wire produces a final tightening of the wireand 75 ing of the control handle, said members having portionsrespectively causing each of said brakes to be applied with dfi'erentamounts of braking force for different settings of said control handleand rotatable by said handle diiferent distances for causing differentbrake pressures to be applied to said first brake and said second brakesimultaneously and independently.

2. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool and a wire takeupspool, the combination comprising, a first brake for the supply spool, afirst brake-actuating device for said first brake, a second brake forthe takeup spool, a second brake-actuating device for said second brake,a rotatable shaft having a control handle settable to a plurality ofoptional positons, and compound motion-transmitting members between saidhandle and said brake-actuating devices mounted on and carried by saidshaft in the rotary movements thereof incident to the positioning of thecontrol handle, said members having portions respectively causing saidfirst brake to be retracted and said second brake to be applied lightlyfor a first setting of said control handle, and other portionsrespectively causing said first brake to be applied lightly and saidsecond brake to be retracted for a second setting of said control handleand other portions for causing the first and second brakes to be appliedwith a heavy brake pressure.

3. In a wire recorder including a wire supply aesaaco spool and a wiretakeup spool, the combination comprising a supply spool brake, a takeupspool brake, a control switch including a rotatable shaft provided witha plurality of cams having differential cam portions for applying lightand heavy brake pressures to the supply spool and the takeup spool andsaid shaft constituting a common actuating member for said cams, atleast one of said cams having a lost-motion connection with saidactuatin member, driving means controlled by said switch for applyingmotive power selectively to the spools, and brake-actuating devicescontrolled by said cams to effect selective braking of said supply spooland said takeup spool.

4. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool and a wire takeupspool, the combination comprising a first braking device for the supplyspool, a second braking device for the takeup spool, a multi-positioncontrol switch including a rotatable shaft provided with a pair of camshaving differential cam portions for applying light and heavy brakepressures to the supply spool and the takeup spool and said shaftconstituting a common actuating member for said cams, at least one ofsaid cams having a lostmotion connection with said actuating member,driving means controlled by sad switch for applying motive powerselectively to the spools, and first and second cam followers eachadapted to cooperate with both said cams and respectively connected tosaid first and second braking devices whereby selective braking of saidsupply spool and said takeup spool is effected in accordance with thesetting of said switch.

5. In a wire recorder, wire handling means, a control switch including arotatable shaft and having two limiting positions and an intermediateneutral position for controlling the operation of said wire handlingmeans, a plurality of braking devices for said wire handling means, andcam means mounted on and carried by said shaft in the rotary movementsthereof and having differential cam portions for applying light andheavy brake pressures to the supply spool and the takeup spool andcontrolled by said switch for variantly controlling each of said brakingdevices with respect to the magnitude of braking pressure appliedthereby, said cam means and said switch being relatively arranged toproduce different settings of each braking device for a neutral settingof said switch depending upon which of the limiting positions isoccupied by said switch before being moved into the neutral positionthereof.

6. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool and a wire takeupspool, the combination comprising a brake for the supply spool, a brakefor the takeup spool, brake-actuating devices for both said brakes, arotatable shaft provided with a plurality of'brake-control cams, camfollowers cooperating with said cams and respectively connected to saidbrake-actuating devices, said shaft constituting a common operatingmembar for said cams and havin two limiting positions and anintermediate positipn, said cams being effective to vary the magnitudeof braking force applied by each of said brakes depending upon theposition of said operating member, at least one of said cams having alost-motion connection with said operating member whereby the cams mayoccupy different relative positions whensaid operating member is in itsintermediate position.

including rotary supports for a wire supply spool and a wire takeupspool, reversible driving means for said wire-handl ng means, a controlswitch for said driving means, said switch having two limiting positionsand an intermediate neutral position and including a rotatable shaft,braking devices for the wire spools, and a pair of cams mounted on andcarried by said shaft in the rotary movements thereof and arranged to beactuated by said switch for controlling the operation of said brakingdevices selectively in accordance with the setting of said switch, atleast one of said cams having a lost-motion connection with said switchwhereby the cams have different relative settings for a neutral settingof said switch depending upon the limiting position occupied by saidswitch before being moved into the eutral position thereof.

8. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool, a wire takeup spooland rotary supports for the spools, the combination comprising a firstbraking device for the supply spool, a second braking device for thetakeup spool, a driving motor, selectively operable coupling meansbetween said motor and said rotary supports, a control switch includinga rotatable shaft and brake-controlling and drive-controlling cam meansmounted on said shaft and carried by the same in the rotary movementsthereof, said shaft constituting a common actuating member for both saidcam means, a cam follower cooperating with said drive-controlling cammeans to establish driving connection between said motor and a selectedone of said rotary supports in accordance with the setting of theswitch, and other cam followers cooperating with said brake-controllingcam means and respectively connected to said first and second brakingdevices, said brake-controlling cam means including a portion wherebysaid first braking device is rendered effective when said motor isdriving said takeup spool and another portion whereby said secondbraking device is rendered effective when said motor is driving saidsupply spool and other portions arranged to apply a differentialpressure to the takeup spool and the supply spool.

9. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool, a wire takeup spooland rotary supports for the spools, the combination comprising a firstbrakng device for the supply spool, a second braking device for thetakeup spool, a driving motor, coupling means to establish drivingconnection selectively between said motor and said rotary supports, acontrol switch including a rotatable shaft and drive-controlling andbrakecontrolling cam means mounted on and carried by said shaft in therotary movements thereof, said shaft constituting a common cam-actuatingmember having two limiting positions and an intermediate neutralposition, said brakecontrolling cam means including a pair of cams atleast one of which has a lost-motion connection with said actuatingmember whereby different relative posftions are assumed by the cams fora neutral setting of said actuating member depending upon the limitingposition occupied by said member before being moved into said neutralposition, and first and second cam followers cooperating with saidbrake-controlling cam means and respectively connected to said first andsecond braking devices whereby selective braking of said supply spooland said takeup spool is effected.

10. In a wire recorder including a wire sup- 7. In a wire recorder, awire handling means 4" ply spool and a wire takeup spool, thecombinaacamo'o tion comprising a supply spool brake, a takeup spoolbrake, a driving motor, alternatively operable coupling means forenabling said motor to rotate said spools, a control switch including arotatable shaft and brake-controlling cam means and drive-controllingcam means both of said cam means being mounted on and carried by saidshaft in the rotary movements thereof and said shaft constituting acommon actuating member for both said cam means; means including a camfollower cooperating with said drive-controlling cam means forselectively establishing driving connection between said motor and saidspools, respectively, to drive said spools forwardly, to drive saidspools in reverse and to uncouple said spools from said motor inaccordance with the setting of the switch; and means including other camfollowers cooperating with said brakecontrollng cam means andrespectively adapted to operate said brakes, said brake-controlling cammeans having a portion whereby said supply spool brake is renderedeffective when said spools are uncoupled from said motor after beingdriven forwardly, and another portion whereby said takeup spool brake isrendered effective when said spools are uncoupled from said motor afterbeing driven reversely and other portions arranged to apply adifferential pressure to the takeup spool and the supply spool.

11. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool, a wire takeupspool and rotary supports for the spools, the combination comprising afirst braking device for the supply spool, a second braking device forthe takeup spool, a driving motor, coupling means to establish drivingconnection selectively between sa d motor and said rotary supports, acontrol switch including a rotatable shaft and drive-controlling andbrake-controlling cam means mounted on and carried by said shaft in therotary movements thereof, said shaft constitut ng a common camactuatingmember having two limiting positions and an intermediate neutralposition, and first and second cam followers cooperating with sa dbrake-controllin cam means and respectively connected to said first andsecond braking devices, said brake-controlling cam means includingfirst, second and third portions to produce three different settings ofsa d first braking device depending upon the position of saidcamactuating member, and fourth, fifth and sixth portions to producethree different settings of said second braking device dependng upon theposition of said cam-actuating member.

12. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool and a wire takeupspool, the combination compris ng a first brake for the supply spool, asecond brake for the takeup spool, reversible driving means for saidspools, a switch controlling said driving means and includin a controlmember comprising a rotatable shaft and having a first position toeffect forward rotation of said spools, a second position to effectreverse rotation of said spools and a third intermediate position todisconnect said driving means from both said spools, cams mounted on andcarred by the shaft of said control member, and brakeactuating devicescooperating with said cams and respectively connected to said first andsecond brakes, said cams including portions for applying said firstbrake with a light pressure and retracting said second brake when saidcontrol member is in its first position, other portions for retractingsaid first brake and applying said second brake lightly when saidcontrol member 14 is in its second position and other portions arrangedto apply the first brake and the second brake with a heavy pressure.

13. The combination set forth in claim 12, further comprising a cammounted on and carried by said rotatable shaft and havin a lost-m0- tionconnection with said control member and cooperating with saidbrake-actuating devices, said last-mentioned cam having portions forcausing said first brake to be applied heavily and said second brake tobe applied lightly when said control member is moved from its firstposition to its third position, and other portions for causing saidfirst brake to be applied lightly and said second brake to be appliedheavily when said control member is moved from its second position toits third position.

14. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool, a wire takeupspool and rotary supports for the spools, a driving motor, pivotedsupport means for said driving motor, a first :coupling means effectiveto establish a driving connection between said motor and said supplyspool support when said motor is tilted in one direction, a secondcoupling means effective .to establish a driving connection between saidmotor and said takeup spool support when said motor is tilted in anotherdirection, a control switch for sa d motor including a cam, and a camfollower operatively connected to said motor and cooperating with saidcam, said switch having a running position, a rewinding position and aneutral position, 'said cam acting through the medium of said camfollower to tilt said motor for driving said takeup spool when saidswitch is in its running position and to tilt said motor for drivingsaid supply spool when said switch is in its rewinding position.

15. In combination with the apparatus set forth in claim 14, a firstbraking device for said supply spool, a second braking device for saidtakeup spool, and a pair of cams included in said control switch, one ofsaid cams having a lostmotion connection with said switch, and camfollowers cooperating with said pair of cams and respectively connectedto said first and second braking devices for selectively braking saidspools in accordance with the setting of said switch.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, where'n said pair of camsincludes a portion to effect light brakin of said supply spool when saidswitch is in its running position, and another portion to effect lightbraking of said takeup spool when said switch is in its rewindingposition.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said pair of camsincludes a portion to effect heavy braking of said supply spool whensaid switch is moved into neutral position after being in runningposition, and another portion to effect heavy braking of said takeupspool when said switch is moved from its rewinding position to itsneutral position.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1'7, wherein said pair of camsincludes a portion to effect light braking of said takeup spool whensaid switch is moved from its running position to its neutral position,and another portion to effect light braking of said supply spool whensaid switch is moved from its rewinding position to its neutralposition.

19. In a wire recorder including a wire supply spool and a wire takeupspool, the combination comprising, a first brake for the supply spool, afirst brake-actuating device for said first brake,

15 a second brake for the takeup spool, a second brake-actuat'ng devicefor said second brake, a rotatable shaft having a control handlesettable to a plurality of optional positions, a compoundmotion-transmitting member between said handle and said brake-actuatingdevices mounted on and carried by said shaft in the rotary movementsthereof, said member having portions respectively causing said firstbrake to be retracted and said second brake to be applied lightly for afirst setting of said control handle, and other portions respectivelycausing said first brake to be applied lightly and said second brake tobe retracted for a second sett'ng of said control handle, and a secondcompound motion-transmitting member between said handle and saidbrakeactuating devices mounted on and carried by said 20. The apparatusset forth in claim 19, wherein said second motion-transmittingmemberincludes a port'on causing said second brake to be applied lightly whensaid first brake is applied heavily, and a portion causing said firstbrake to be applied lightly when said second brake is applied heavily.

COLIN B. DALE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,144,673 Wheeler June 29, 19151,210,955 Langbeck Jan. 2, 1917 1,215,364 G'lmore Feb. 13, 19171,943,304 Foster Jan. 16, 1934 2,369,017 Camras Feb. 6, 1945 2,438,222Lear Mar. 23, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 329,804 GermanyMay 17, 1919

